Effects of the enhanced public health intervention during the COVID‐19 epidemic on respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious diseases in China

Abstract

The public health interventions to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 could also potentially reduce the global activity of influenza. However, this strategy's impact on other common infectious diseases is unknown. We collected data of 10 respiratory infectious (RI) diseases, influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), and seven gastrointestinal infectious (GI) diseases during 2015-2020 in China and applied two proportional tests to check the differences in the yearly incidence and mortality, and case-fatality rates (CFRs) over the years 2015-2020. The results showed that the overall RI activity decreased by 7.47%, from 181.64 in 2015-2019 to 168.08 per 100 000 in 2020 (p < 0.001); however, the incidence of influenza was seen to have a 16.08% escalation (p < 0.001). In contrast, the average weekly ILI percentage and positive influenza virus rate decreased by 6.25% and 61.94%, respectively, in 2020 compared to the previous 5 years (all p < 0.001). The overall incidence of GI decreased by 45.28%, from 253.73 in 2015-2019 to 138.84 in 2020 per 100 000 (p < 0.001), and with the greatest decline seen in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) (64.66%; p < 0.001). The mortality and CFRs from RI increased by 128.49% and 146.95%, respectively, in 2020, compared to 2015-2019 (p < 0.001). However, the mortality rates and CFRs of seven GI decreased by 70.56% and 46.12%, respectively (p < 0.001). In conclusion, China's COVID-19 elimination/containment strategy is very effective in reducing the incidence rates of RI and GI, and ILI activity, as well as the mortality and CFRs of GI diseases.

The knowledge, attitudes and practices of hand, foot, and mouth disease prevention strategies amongst parents and educators of children under 5 years amidst COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…The decreased incidence was strongly associated with childcare centre closures in these cities due to COVID-19 outbreaks (30). Compared with nine other common respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases reported in China in 2020, the decrease in HFMD incidence was the most pronounced (31). Thus, HFMD outbreaks are an unlikely cause of concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during its peak when stricter measures against COVID-19 transmission were implemented (30).…”

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the global burden of influenza

“… 14 A study investigating the effect of enhanced public health intervention in China during the COVID‐19 epidemic reported a 6.25% decrease in the positive influenza rate in 2020 compared to the previous 5 years. 15 In view of the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, these observations continued in 2021 as demonstrated by a population‐based Canadian study which found that during 2020–2021 influenza A and B rates decreased to 0.0015 and 0.0028 times that of prepandemic levels, respectively. 16 A finding which has been echoed in several other parts of the world.…”

Information Dissemination during COVID-19 Pandemic among Postgraduate Allied Health Sciences Students in Pakistan

“…The result of the current study is in line with the study conducted in Nigeria, where 61 % respondents agree that they get information from online libraries during pandemic (Adigun et al, 2020). Similarly, the study conducted in China in 2020 reported that 94% of Chinese libraries released Covid-19 information through their website 19,20 . Phase-2: Online and offline services are provided by libraries to the post-graduate students during COVID-19 pandemic At the time of pandemic, 74% student showed willingness to use the sharing of E-Files containing SOPs pertaining to Covid-19.…”